Four Assembly Members have written publicly of their experiences of mental illness in a bid to tackle the stigma and discrimination associated with mental health problems.

Four Assembly Members have written publicly of their experiences of mental illness in a bid to tackle the stigma and discrimination associated with mental health problems.

Members of all four political parties in Wales have written personal blog posts about periods of mental ill health on the Time to Change Wales
website.

The posts come ahead of a National Assembly debate to be held on Wednesday calling on the Welsh Government to acknowledge the discrimination faced by people with mental health problems.

In the blogs, Eluned Parrott, Ken Skates, David Melding and Llyr Huws Gruffydd talk about Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD), depression and post-natal depression and the issues they faced surrounding their illnesses including whether to disclose it to employers or family, the fear of prejudice and the symptoms experienced.

Many of their worries will be familiar to the one in four people who experience a mental health problem each year.

Ms Parrott said: “For people who have experienced mental ill health, the stigma and prejudice they face can be as difficult to face as the illness itself.

“Public perceptions are hard to change, but it is encouraging that through Time to Change Wales, more and more people are talking openly about their own experiences.

“I suffered from post-natal depression after the birth of both of my children, and that fear of being labelled prevented me from seeking help and support the first time it happened.

“That stigma is so strong that people will suffer in silence rather than admit they have a problem. That has to be challenged.

“It is very difficult to speak about your own mental health, but my hope is that by speaking out now, it will be easier for people to talk about it in the future.”

Mr Gruffydd said that writing about his own mental health has prompted him to disclose his illnesses to his family for the first time.

He said: “One in four of us experience mental health problems each year, but people often feel awkward or uncomfortable talking about their mental health in a way they wouldn't about physical health.

“We need to change that and I hope that by being open about my own experiences and working with the Time to Change Wales campaign, I can play my part.

“Writing about my own experience of depression has been a challenging process and has been a catalyst for many conversations about mental health, including telling my parents about my illness for the first time, but it is important that people going through something similar know they aren’t alone.”

Mr Melding, Deputy Presiding Officer of the National Assembly, said: “Anyone can experience mental health problems and it shouldn’t be considered a taboo subject in the Senedd or anywhere else.

“In the blog, I talk about the myth that it is somehow not ‘normal’ to be ill and the embarrassment people sometimes feel as a result. We need to challenge this way of thinking and give people the facts.

“Mental health problems are actually very common. By writing a blog for Time to Change Wales about my own experiences, I hope to contribute towards achieving this.”

Mr Skates said he hoped that the blogs would inspire other people with mental health problems to speak out.

He said: “I attended Time to Change Wales’ launch back in February and support the campaign aim of ending the stigma around mental health issues.

“Writing about Generalised Anxiety Disorder, depression and my recovery wasn't easy, but I felt that to support the message of don’t be afraid to talk about mental health, I had to be prepared to speak about my own experiences.

“If this encourages other people to have a conversation about their own mental health or to listen when someone needs support, I'll be glad to have made this contribution.”

The move follows research by Time to Change Wales, the first national campaign to end the stigma and discrimination faced by people with mental health problems, in which one in four respondents said people with mental health problems should not be allowed to hold public office. One in ten said that people with mental health problems should not be allowed to have children.

Cath Lindley, Time to Change Wales programme manager, said: “It is hugely encouraging to see our elected representatives in Wales speaking openly about their own experiences of mental illness.

“Too many people are still afraid to talk about mental health, which reinforces the stigma that can be such a barrier to socialising, returning to work or seeking treatment.

“Many people say that the experience of stigma and discrimination can be worse than the symptoms of their illnesses.

“This has been a big step for the Assembly Members, given the negative attitudes that persist - some have yet to tell friends or family. I hope that all AMs will support the motion in the Assembly today.”

Health Minister Lesley Griffiths said:“The Welsh Government is committed to ending the stigma and discrimination experienced by people with mental health problems and has made this a key aim of the recently launched strategy, Together for Mental Health.

“We all have a role to play in ending the stigma around mental illness and key to that is talking about mental health issues. I am proud to see the Welsh Assembly leading by example and offer my personal thanks to those Members from all parties who are taking this step and talking about their own experiences.”

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